7 Household Items That Should Never Be Flushed Down the Toilet
The toilet is a ubiquitous fixture in our homes that we are using every day. We tend to think of the convenience of it for granted, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a garbage can. Certain things should not go down the toilet because they can cause obstruction within the drainage system or damage in sewer lines.
Key Takeaways
- Avoid flushing certain things down the toilet as they could cause blockages in the drain or damage to sewer pipes.
- Seven household items you shouldn’t flush down the toilet are:
- Baby wipes
- Condoms
- Oil and cooking fat
- Feminine hygiene products (tampons and sanitary pads)
- Medications
- Dental floss
- Paper towels
- Doing this can result in blockages in drains or damaged pipes within your plumbing system. This will come at an unforetold cost to you.
- Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbing offers unblocking blocked drains, drain clearing, CCTV drain inspection, and pipe relining services.
There are 7 household things you should never flush in the toilet.
1. Baby wipes
Baby wipes might seem useful but they don’t dissolve like toilet paper, and they can block pipes. Throw them away in the garbage instead.
2. Condoms
Flushing condoms down the toilet could cause blockages in both your home’s plumbing and wastewater treatment facilities.
3. Cooking grease and oil
Oil and grease should be removed from the container, then thrown in the garbage, since they will harden and cause obstructions in your drains, or pipes.
4. Female hygiene products
Tampons and sanitary pads are frequently marketed as "flushable, " but flushing them can cause trouble later on when they join with other products and cause a clog.
5. Medications
It is not recommended to flush medications into the toilet as they could pollute our water sources.
6. Dental floss
Dental floss is created to be tough, which means it won’t be able to break in water, leading to the possibility of blockages to your pipes.
7. Paper towels
Contrary to toilet paper Paper towels have a thicker weave that makes them less likely to deteriorate rapidly once they are they’re wet. They can quickly cause blockages.
The bottom line is that flushing any of the seven items will ultimately lead to blocked drains and damaged pipelines in your plumbing system which can result in an unexpected cost to you. Be mindful of what you flush down the toilet.
| Item | Reason for not Flushing |
|---|---|
| Baby wipes | Do not break down like toilet paper and can clog your plumbing system. Dispose of them in the trash instead. |
| Condoms | Leads to blockages both at home’s plumbing and treatment plants. |
| Cooking grease and oil | Will harden and cause blockages in your drains or pipes. |
| Feminine hygiene products | Combining with other items creates a nasty clog despite being marketed as "flushable". |
| Medications | Can contaminate our water sources. |
| Dental floss | Designed to be strong, leading to potential blockages in pipes. |
| Paper towels | Less likely to deteriorate quickly once wet, easily causing blockages unlike with toilet paper. |
FAQs
Are feminine hygiene products flushed in the bathroom causing damage? cause damage to my pipes?
Yes. Products for feminine hygiene do not dissolve in water and may cause blockages to the sewer or your pipes.
Are flushable wipes really flushable?
Many "flushable" wipes do not disintegrate easily and can cause clogs in your pipes.
Do I have to use baby wipes to flush them down the toilet?
No. Baby wipes shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet since they won’t dissolve well and can cause obstructions.
Are paper towels okay to flush?
No. Paper towels are more dense than toilet paper, and they don’t break down as quickly, causing the possibility of clogging the plumbing system.
What about medication? Should I flush them in the toilet?
No. Medical treatments can cause a contamination of our waterways, which is why it’s important to dispose of the drugs in a proper manner, by bringing the containers to an appropriate drop-off point.
If you’re faced with an unblocking drain, don’t hesitate to call our professional plumbing solutions via Melbourne Blocked Drains Plumbing . We offer services to clear blocked drains as well as drain clearing CCTV drain inspection and pipe relining services to ensure your home is free of issues with drainage. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
Additional Information
- Don't Let a Clogged Drain Put a Damper on Your Business: Get Regular Inspections
- CCTV Drain Inspection: Find Out How it Helps Pinpoint Root Infiltration in Your Pipes
- How to Prevent Your Drains from Getting Blocked
- Why Trenchless Pipe Relining is the Future of Condominium Plumbing
- CCTV Drain Inspection: The Key to Resolving Blocked Drains Quickly
- What You Need to Know About Blocked Drains and How to Resolve Them
- Unblocking Blocked Drains: How to Choose Between DIY or Professional Services
- Avoid Expensive Repairs with Regular CCTV Drain Inspections
- Why Pipe Relining is a Cost-Effective Solution for your Business’ Plumbing Issues?
- Don't wait! Find the finest plumber to tackle your blocked drain crisis
